Smoke-producing device



Feb. 6, 1923;

o. c. TROUT ET AL SMOKE PRODUCING DEVICE Filed Jan. 50, 1922 Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

warren stares 1,444,642 rant orries.

OM'ER C. TROUT AND "WILLIAM T. MARTIN, 01E OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

SMOKE-FBODUCING DEVICE.

Application filed January 30, 1922. Serial No. 532,834.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, @3551; C. Tnou'r and WILLIAM T. MARTIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Smoke-Producing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a smoke producing device of that character which may be used in smoke houses for the treatment of packing house products, such as meats and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of this character which is adapted to produce a relatively large volume of smoke compared to the amount of fuel consumed; and to provide a device or furnace of this character which is automatic in action and which is capable of burning saw dust and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device by the use of which time and labor are saved in the smoking of meats, ma terial is conserved, the necessity of using wood is eliminated, a device which when used will affect a relatively smaller percentage of shrinkage of the meats than prior used devices, and which is sanitary, increases the appearance and flavor of the products and reduces the timeand space required in smoking or treatment of the meats.

Briefly stated, the present invention aims at the provision of a smoke producing de vice which carries a quantity of fuel and automatically feeds it into position for consumption, and which employs pneumatic means for agitating the fuel in such manner as to prolong the consumption thereof and efiect the generation of a relatively large volume of smoke.

With the foregoing and other objects in will be more fully deand will be more parthe claims appended view, the invention scribed hereinafter, ticularly pointed out in hereto.

In the drawing, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a smoke producing device constructed according to the present invention, parts being broken away to expose the interior portions of the device, and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken vertically through one side portion of be of any su1table dimensions, construction and material. In the present instance the receptacle 10 is shown as being open at its top, although the same may be closed in any suitable manner if desired, but such closure would necessitate outlets or vents for the exit of smoke into the store-room or enclosure within which the smoke producing device may be positioned.

The casing 10 is provided in its lower end with a horizontal grate 11 of any suitable construction but which in the present instance comprises a plate having apertures 12 therethrough for passage of air upwardly through the grate and for the settling of ashes into the ash pit or compartment in the bottom of the casing 10. The grate 11 may be supported by cleats 13 from the walls of the casing 10, and the casing 10 is provided with a door 14 in aside wall throug which the ashes may be removed from the ash pit.

The casing 10 is provided with storage means for fuel, and in the present instance such means embodies one or more hoppers 15 into which saw dust or the like is adapted to be placed for feeding downwardly to the grate 11. In the present instance two such hoppers 15 are shown while any desired number may be used, and the hoppers extend lengthwise in the opposite sides of the casing 10 and taper downwardly,'and each hopper has a pair of shutters or valves 16 at its lower end for controlling the passage of the fuel downwardly from the hopper. The shutters or valves '16 are in the form of leaves which extend throughout the length Y of the hopper 15 and which are hinged thereto at the lower edges of the sides" of the hopper. The shutters or valves 16 are each mounted upon a rod 17 mounted for rotation into the opposite sides of the hopper, and the rods 17 have their ends turned at substantially right angles to form cranks 18 by means of which the rods may be turned and the valves 16 adjusted.

These cranks 18 are preferably located at one end of the casing 10 and the pair of cranks 18 of each hopper are extended in opposite directions and are connected together by a link 19 which causes the rods 17 to turn in opposite directions when either one. of the rods is operated. Each pair of rods 17 is similarly connected, and an oper ating bar 20 is pivotally connected at spaced apart points to a corresponding crank 18 of each pair'of rods so that operation of the bar 20 in one direction causes all of the valves 16 to open and operation of the rod 20 in an opposite direction causes all. of the valves to close.

As shown in Fig. 2 each hopper 15 may be supported upon uprights or standards 21 which are secured at their upper ends to the sides of the hopper 15 and which rest at their lower ends upon the grate 11 to sup port the lower end of the hopper 15 in spaced relation above the grate 11. This arrangement of the hopper-above the grate provides ample room for operation of the valves 16 and also provides a suitable space for the fuel to fall and to move when agitated, as will be subsequently brought out.

The casing 10 is provided at each side of the hopperl5 with an air pipe 22 having outlet nozzles or the perforations 23 directed axially downwlrdly at substantially degrees toward the grate 11 and toward the hopper 15. The blasts of air issuing from the nozzles or openings 23 are adapted to blow toward the grate 11 and beneath the hopper and to agitate the fuel after the fuel has fallen upon the grate 11. Where the pipe 22 is located between a pair of hoppers 15 the'pipe may have the nozzles 23 formed in opposite sides thereof so as to provide jets of air, which issue beneath the hoppers and in such directions as to maintain the fuel in a constant state of agitation.

Each fuel pipe 22 projects through one end of the casing 10 and each has an individual valve 24. The pipes 22 are connected to a supply manifold 25 which is connected to a supply pipe 26 in which is placed a controlling valve 27 for supplying air under the desired pressure to the manifold 25 and the pipes 22.

When the device is in use it is placed in a room or compartment in which are suspended the products to be smoked, such as hams, bacon and the like. The hoppers 15 are now filled with saw dust which produces the most appropriate smoke for treating the particular kind of meat. Birch or other saw dust will produce smoke for imparting different flavors and colors to the various meats, in accordance with the age, quality and kindofmeat which is smoked. The saw dust may be saturated with water or chemicals to produce desired results The saw dust. is adapted to fall by gravity -from.-the hoppers 15 and the falling of the saw dust or other fuel manipulating the bar 20 for opening or closing the valves 16 to the desired extent. The fuel is kindled on the grate 11, and as used is regulated by ate permitting them back upon the grate ignited. The pa: 2 tained in om 11116 to time w iere they can become 1' "ael are thus main 'niteu s so as to y large volume of smoke by the delayed consum tion of the fuel and the result is that there is considerable economy the use of the fuel but little heat is generated. is this lack or. heat which offsets the shrinkage of the products being treated, and at the same time the products are thoroughly smoked in a rela tively short time by the relatively large volume of smoke produced. l Vhere the opposed pipes 22 are used at opposite sides of the hopper, counter air currents are produced which meet beneath the hoppers and which increase the agitation of the fuel so as to thoroughly mix it and keep it in practically constant motion. The fuel is, thus slowly but completely consumed with the production of but little heat and a relatively large volume of smoke.

The air pressure in the pipes 22 may be individually regulated by the valves 24, and also by the i ain valve 27 by means of which the main air supply may be regulated for proportionate distribution to the pipes 22.

id e do not wish to be restricted to the size, form, and proportions of the various parts, and obviously changes could be made in the construction herein described without departing from the spirit of the invention, it bein only necessary that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

'W hat is claimed is: k

1. In a smoke producing device an en closure a grate arranged in the lower end of the enclosura a hopper arranged in the enclosure above the grate and'havinp; an out-- let opening of less area than the grate and adapted to deliver fuel thereto, and fluid jet means located at opposite sides of the hopper and operable against the grate beneath the outlet opening.

2. in a smoke producing device an enclosure having a therein. a fuel hopper arranp'ed in spaced relation over the grate and having a lower outlet end of less area than the grate and through which fuel may dropped upon the grate, and air blast devices arranged on opposite sides of the hopper for directing jets of air beneath the hopper and against th fuel as the latter drops upon the grate.

3. In a smoke producing device, an enclosure having a grate therein, a fuel hopper arranged in the upper part of the enclosure and spaced above the grate, shutters at the lower end of the hopper for regulatingthe dropping of fuel on the grate, and air blast devices arranged at opposite sides of the hopper and having outlet means directed downwardly beneath the hopper whereby to project jets of air in converging 15 relation upon the grate, and beneath the hopper to agitate fuel as the latter strikes the grate.

OMER C. TROUT. WILLIAM T. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR H. STURGES,- HIRAM A. STURGES. 

